Surgical Light Sources
This page offers surgical light source units from Clear Choice Medical, along with headlights and related parts. The source is the powered unit that feeds light into a fiber optic cable.
11 products · sorted by price (high to low)
Current listings include headlights, which take light from the source through a fiber cable. Some listings include a headlight, while others offer the source unit alone. Other items are parts for a light system, so read each title to see whether you are buying a complete unit. An endoscope light source works the same way but feeds the light post on a scope.
When you compare units, start with the output port. The port must accept your light cables directly or through an adapter, and port styles differ between makers. Next, check the lamp type and wattage for each model, since replacement bulbs vary by model. For headlight systems, check the cable length and whether a charger or power supply is included. Note the model number in each title so you can match lamps and cables to the right unit.
Listings change as items sell, so check the current units or ask Clear Choice Medical about a model you need.
Common questions about Light Sources
What is the difference between xenon, halogen and LED light sources?
The terms name the lamp inside the unit, and the lamps differ in color temperature and rated life. Xenon arc lamps give light at about 6000 K, often called cold white. Halogen lamps give light at about 3000 K, often called warm white. ECRI figures put xenon lamp life at about 500 hours. The same figures give LED lamps 5,000 to 30,000 hours. Xenon units take a replaceable lamp or lamp module. Some, such as the Integra MLX, display their lamp hours. Where a title names the lamp type, use it to narrow your comparison.
What is the difference between a fiber optic headlight and an LED headlight?
A fiber optic headlight takes its light from a separate light source through a cable. An LED headlight such as Integra's DUO has its own LED and runs from a battery pack. Integra's MLX system, for example, pairs a 300-watt xenon source with the UltraLite Pro headlight. That headlight comes with a 9-foot (275 cm) bifurcated fiber cable. DUO kits list a charger, two batteries and a holster. Integra also lists a direct power kit for the DUO. Integra says each DUO battery provides 4 hours of light at maximum intensity.
Is a surgical light source the same as a surgical light?
Not usually, because a surgical light source feeds light into a fiber optic cable rather than lighting the field on its own. The cable carries that light to an endoscope light post or to a headlight. The term surgical light can instead mean a lamp fixture that lights the field directly. U.S. rules describe a surgical lamp as a device that lights the surgical field or the patient. Their examples include ceiling-mounted and floor-standing surgical lights. Check the listing title and photos for a cable port to tell a light source apart.